Emmy Viewers Drop 8 Percent From Last Year, but Rise in Younger Demos

September 20, 2011 (1:41 am) GMT

The Sunday (September 18) telecast drew 12.4 million audience since it faced a stiff competition with the airing of Sunday Night Football on NBC.

Jane Lynch's star-studded opener, Charlie Sheen's appearance and Emmingtons choir failed to put the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards among the most-watched shows this year. The three-hour ceremony, which was aired on FOX on September 18, only drew in 12.4 million viewers, according to preliminary viewing figures from media research company Nielsen.

The viewership was down 8% from last year's Emmys, which was watched by 13.5 million people. It was the smallest audience for the annual prize-giving event since its 2008 broadcast which was seen by 12.3 million and had a 3.8 rating.

The Sunday telecast, however, attracted more audience in younger demos. The show's rating was up 2% to a 4.2 among adults 18-49, and it had its biggest number in four years among adults 18-34.

At the time, Emmys faced a stiff competition with the airing of Sunday Night Football on NBC. The Eagles vs. Falcons game dominated the night with an estimated 18 million viewers and a 15.7 overnight household rating.